Buffing mechanism



A ril 10, 1951 K. WILLIAMS BUFFING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1946 V/l/ Ill ///77 I ni/en/or! 156%]: WZZZ iams.

April 10, 19.51 K. WILLIAMS BUFFING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1946 Inve 72/02.- Xepjh Williams.

Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUFFING MECHANISM Keith Williams, Buflalo, N. Y. Application May15, 1946, Serial No. 669,953

simple and eflicient means for anchoring the cap to the housing and effectively locking the same against accidental removal, the locking means being designed to permit the cap to be readily I assembled with or removed from the housing.

composed of a plurality of spring elements opposing movement of the bufiing cap inwardly of the housing and cooperating with the friction clutch to set up frictional resistance between the clutch and housing, simple and efiicient means for anchoring the cap to the housing, including a locking thimble having shouldered engagement with the housing and buffing cap to limit outward movement of the latter with respect to the housing, wherein the thimble is maintained in its locking position by one of the spring elements of said spring means.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings, forming a part of this specification,

Fig. l'is a fragmentary, vertical longitudinal sectional view of the end platform of a railway car, illustrating my improvement in buffing mechanisms in connection therewith;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through the improved buffing mechanism shown in Fig. 1, corresponding substantially to the line 22 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, Fig. 3 being on a still further enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding substantially totheline 4-4 of Fig. 3,

- said view being partly broken away;

. in said figure;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of the housing shown in Fig. 7, looking from left to right in said figure;

Fig. 9 is a broken end elevational view of the 7 locking ring shown in Fig. 7, looking from left to right in'said figure; 1

Fig. 10 is a broken perspective view of th locking ring shown in Figs. '7 and 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view of the end of the housing;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 7, illustrating still another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 13 is an elevational View of Fig. 12., looking from left to right in said figure and showing the bufiing cap in vertical section;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13, showing the housing only;

Fig. 15 is a broken end elevational view of the thimble shown in Figs. 12 and 13, looking from left to right in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 16 is an end elevational view of the look-- ing ring shownin Fig. 12, looking from left to right in said figure.

In said drawings, referring more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, It! indicates a portion of the underframing of a passenger car endv platform, having a pocket I I adapted to receive the bufling mechanism, which is indicated by [2. The buffing mechanism I2 is actuated by the usual longitudinally slidable center stem l3, which is guided in suitable openings of the underframe structure and cooperates with the usual movable platform member I4. As will be understood by those skilled in this art, the end platform member I4 is moved inwardly upon receiving buffing shocks, thereby forcing the stem 13 inwardly also and compressing the bufiing mechanism l2 against the rear wall of the pocket ll.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, my

improved bufiing mechanism, which is indicated by 12 in Fig. 1, comprises broadly a housing or friction casing A; a wedge B; three friction shoes C-C-C; a pressure-transmitting member or bufilng cap D; a spring abutment thimble E; a heavy outer coil spring F; and a lighter inner coil spring G.

The casing A is in the form ofa cylinder of substantially hexagonal cross-section, as shown .in Fig. 3. At the front or left-hand end ofthe casing, as viewed in Fig. 2, an inturned annular stop flange I5 is provided, which is notched as indicated at l6. As shown, three notches l6-l6-l6 are preferably provided, which are equally spaced circumferentially of said flange. Inwardly of the flange l5, the side walls of the casing are cut away or circumferentially grooved, as indicated at IT, to provide clearance for certain locking lugs on the thimble E, as hereinafter pointed out. The notches H in the flange 15 are preferably of such a depth that the inner end walls of the same coincide with the back wall of the groove ll. On the inner side, the flange I5 is formed with three circumferentially spaced, inwardly opening seats l8-l8-l8. Each seat [8 is slightly offset circumferentially with-respect to the adjacent notch [6, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The opposite or rear end of the casing A has a laterally inwardly projecting annular-flange which forms a rear wall l9 havinga central opening 29. Inwardly of the wall i9, the casing has a plurality of interior friction surfaces 2|, which extend lengthwise thereof and converge inwardly toward each other. These friction surfaces are preferably three in number and are arranged symmetrically about the axis of the vides a stop shoulder 24 at the inner end thereof,

which is substantially continuous around the wedge and adapted to engage the rear wall IQ of the casing to limit movementfof the wedge block outwardly with respectto the casing.

The friction shoes C correspond in number to the friction surfaces'of the casing. Each shoe has a friction surface 25 on the outer side engaging the corresponding friction surface 2| of the casing, and a wedge face 26 on the inner side engaging one of the wedge faces 23 of the wedge block B.

The thimble 'E, which forms an abutment for the outer end of the outer coil spring G of the spring resistance means; is in the form of a tubular sleeve, having a transverse inner end wall 2! provided with a central opening 28, which extends therethrough and is adapted to accommodate the spring F. The thimble E .is telescoped within the housing A and has three radially outwardly projecting lugs 29-29-29 at its outer or left-hand end, as seen in Fig. 4, which overhang the flange [5 of the casing at the inner side and are normally engaged in the seats IB-i 8-18 of said flange. The thimble is thus locked against rotation by the lugs 29 in their seated condition, and is positively held against outward movement by shouldered engagement of said lugs with the flange E5 of the casing. These lugs 29 of the thimble E are of such a size that they will pass freely through the openings or notches l6 of the flange E5 of the casing when aligned with said notches, thereby permitting telescoping of the thimble within-the casing in the operation of assembling the mechanism. After the thimble has been pushed into the casing, the lugs 29 may be engaged with the seats 18 by giving the thimble the required partialturn.

The-bufling'cap D comprises atubular sleevelike section 3U-closed at its outer end by a transverse wall which extends outwardly beyond the 4 sleevelike section and forms a platelike follower 31. The sleeve section 39 of the cap is slidingly telescoped within the thimble E and has its movement inwardly of the housing limited by engagement of the follower 3| with the end of said housing. At the inner end thereof, that is, the righthand end as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, the sleeve section 30 of the buffing .cap D is provided with three pairs of exterior, radially projecting lugs 32-32, 32-32, and 32-32, Figs. 3 and 6, which overhang and engage in back of inturned arcshape-d flanges 33-33-33 at the outer or left- -hand end of the thimble E to restrict outward movement of the cap with respect to the thimble. The flanges 33-33-33 are circumferentially spaced apart and each flange is of such a length that it overlaps both of a corresponding pair of lugs 32-32. To maintain the lugs 32-32 of the respective pairs of the buffing cap in alignment with the corresponding flange 33 of the thimble during sliding movement of the cap inwardly and outwardly lengthwise of the thimble, the latter is provided With three lengthwise extending, interior guide ribs 34-34-34, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, one for each flange 33 extending from the center of said flange and being embraced between a corresponding pair of lugs 32-32 of the buffing cap D. Each rib 34 terminates short of the inner end of the thimble E to provide sufficient clearance between the inner end of the rib and the rear wall IQ of the thimble, as indicated at 35, to allow lateral passage of the lugs 32-32 so that the same may be disengaged from the ribs 34 when the cap has been pushed inwardly to its innermost position with respect to the thimble with the follower 3i abutting the outer end of the thimble. Disengagement of the cap cannot be effected in any other position of the lugs 32-32 inasmuch as the lugs will clear the ends of the ribs only when the follower 3| abuts the end of the thimble. The three flanges 33-33-33 of the thimble are so spaced circumferentially as to freely permit the respective pairs of lugs 32-32 to pass therebetween when the cap is pushed into the thimble E in assembling the same therewith. To assist in guiding the cap while being assembled with the cent flanges 33-33. of the thimble. The ribs 36 are of the same length as the ribs 34, terminating short of the end wall 2! to provide clearance for the lugs 32-32 when the cap is turned with respect to the thimble. In the application of the cap to the thimble as it is being pushed into the same, each pair of the lugs 32-32 embrace a corresponding rib 36 on opposite sides, thus guiding the cap in a straight path. As will be evident,

al.hough the ribs 36 guide the cap so as to prevent turning of the same while being pushed into the thimble, thereby facilitating assembling of the parts, these ribs are not absolutely essential and may be omitted inasmuch as the turning of the cap while being applied will not materially interfere with the operation of assembling the device and, if it is found desirable, the cap may be manually held against turning.

The spring resistance, comprising the outer and inner springs F and G, is disposed within the casing A, the inner spring extending through the opening 23 of theend .wall 21 of the thimble E and having its opposite ends bearing respectively on the friction shoes C-C-C and the follower member 3| of the buffing cap D. The outer spring F surrounds the spring G and has its opposite ends bearin respectively on the shoes C-CC and the end wall 2! -of the thimble E. The springs F and G are preferably under initial compression, and the spring F at all times holds the thimble E seated against the stop flanges ill of the casing 11 with the lugs 29 engaged in the seats [8, thereby locking the thimble against rotation. When the mechanism is in the normal, full release position shown in Fig. 2, the spring G yieldingly holds the cap D in its outermost position with the lugs 32 thereof seated on the inner sides of the flanges 33 of the thimble E and with each pair of the lugs 3232 embracing a corresponding rib 34. The lugs 29 of the thimble E and the lugs 32 of the cap D are-thus maintained inabutment with the stop flanges l5 and 33 of the casing and thimble respectively. Further, since the thimble E in its seated position is offset inwardly from the front end of the casing A, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and is maintained in that position at all times, and since the buffing cap D is limited in its inward movement by engagement of the follower member 3| thereof with the front end of the cashing A, the lugs 3232, 32-32, and 32--32 of the cap cannot pass beyond the ends of the ribs 3434-34. This is because these ribs are of such a length, as hereinbefore pointed out, that the lugs will clear the ends of the same only when the cap is moved inwardly of the thimble to its limit with the follower 3| engaging the end of the thimble Thus, the cap be detached from the thimble only when the thimble has been removed from the casing A.

In assembling the mechanism, the friction shoes C--C-C, the wedge B, and the springs F and G are first placed within the casing A. The cap D is then applied to the thimble E by pushing the cap inwardly of the thimble enterin the lug 32--32, 32-32, and 32-32 of the cap through the spaces between the flanges 33-33-33 of the thimble. After the cap has been pushed inwardly to an extent to engage the follower 3| thereof with the end of the thimble, the same is given a partial turn to bring each pair of the lugs 3232 in longitudinal alignment with a corresponding flange 33 and in position at opposite sides of a corresponding rib 34. The cap D is then pulled outwardly,

thereby engaging the lugs with the ribs and locking the cap and thimble against relative rotation. With the cap thus attached to the thimble and projecting therefrom, the thimble is brought to a position with the lugs 29 thereof aligned with the notches l6 of the casing and pushed into the latter against the resistance of the spring F until the lugs 29 clear the flange [5. The thimble E and the attached cap D are then given a partial turn to align the lugs 29 with the seats l8, whereupon the pressure exerted by the spring F forces the lugs into the seats locking the thimble against rotation with respect to spring G only is compressed until the follower 3| of the buffing cap engages the front end of the casing A, thereby providing relatively light 'resistance- Upon further-'compressionof the 6 mechanismthei'casin A is forced rearwardly by the follower 3|. During this last named stage of the compression, relative sliding movement is produced between the casing A and the friction shoes C'C-C and the springs F and G are both compressed, thereby producing relatively high frictional resistance to take care of heavier shocks.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive, the construction of my improved buffing mechanism is substantially identical with that shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, with the exception that the buffin cap is anchored to the casing by means of a locking ring which is held in locked position by the thimble. 'The casing, bufling cap, locking ring, and thimble are indicated respectively by H, J, K, and L, in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive.

.. The casing H has three circumferentially spaced inturned stop flanges 31 at its front end, each flange having a radially disposed seat 38 on its inner side midway between the ends thereof.

The bufflng cap J, which is slidable within the casing H, has a follower section 39 at its outer end and a cylindrical sleeve portion 40 extending inwardly from the follower section. The ring K may be formed by casting the same about the sleeve 40 of the cap so as to be freely movable thereon. The sleeve 40, which i thus engaged through the ring K, has an outwardly projecting annular stop flange 4| at its inner end engaged in back of the ring K.

The ring K, which surrounds the sleeve 40 of th buffing cap, is provided with three circumferentially spaced stop lugs 42, which bear on the inner sides of the flanges 31 of the casing and have central locking projections 43 engaged within the seats 38 of said flanges. The ring K is thus locked against rotation and held against outward movement with respect to the casing H. The lugs 42 of the ring are of such a size as to pass freely through the openings 44 between adjacent flanges of the casing while the ring is being assembled with the same.

The locking ring K is held seated by the thimble L, which bears on the ring and is urged against the ring by the outer coil spring of the buffing mechanism. The-inner end wall of the thimble, which is indicated by 45, has a central opening 46 through which the inner spring of the mechanism extends.

In assembling the mechanism, the thimble L is pushed inwardly of the casing H against the resistance of the outer spring of the bufing mechanism and positioned to provide ample clearance for passage of the lugs 42 of the ring between the front of the thimble and the flanges 31 of the casing H. The bufling cap J with the ring thereon is then passed into the end of the casing with the lugs 42 of the ring aligned with the openings 44 between the flanges 31 of the casing. After the ring has been brought to a position with the lugs thereof inwardly of the flanges 31 of the casing, it is given a partial turn to register the respective lugs with the flanges 31. The restraining pressure on the thimble L is then removed, permitting the outer coil spring of the buffing mechanism to project the thimble outwardly, thus forcing the ring outwardly also and seating the lugs 42 thereof on the flanges of the casing with the projections 43 of said lugs engaged in 2 tion illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive, the construction is identical with that shown in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive, with the exception that the looking ring is locked against rotation with respect to the casing by projecting fingers on the thimble, which engage between lugs on the ring and flanges on the casing.

In said Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive, the casing, bufling cap, locking ring, and thimble are indicated respectively by M, N, O, and P.

The casing M is provided with three inturned circumferentially spaced flanges 41-41-41 at its front end, in back of which are engaged three circumferentially spaced, arc-shaped lugs 4848'48 on the ring 0, which register with said flanges. The lugs 48 are of such a size that they will pass freely through the openings 49 of the casing M when aligned with said openings, thereby facilitating insertion of the ring within the casing in assembling the mechanism. The ring is held seated by the thimble P, which bears on the ring and is pressed against the same by the outer coil spring of the bufling mechanism.

To look the ring 0 against rotation, the thimble P is provided with three circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending locking fingers 50-50-50 of arc-shaped transverse section, which are outwardly offset with respect to the ring 0 to overhang the same. These fingers are engaged in the spaces between the flanges 41--41-41 of the casing and between the lugs 484B4B of the ring to lock the ring against rotation with respect to the casing and maintain the lugs 48 thereof in registration with the flanges 41. In other words, the fingers 50 are engaged in the openings between the lugs 48 and in the openings 49 between the flanges 41 of the casing. The fingers 50 act in the manner of keys which substantially fit these openings, locking the thimble to the casing and the ring in turn to the thimble.

The bufiing cap N is identical with the cap J hereinbefore described in connection with Figs. '1 to 11 inclusive and has an annular stop flange 52 at its inner end which shoulders against the inner side of the ring- 0.

In assembling the mechanism, the thimble P is forced intothe casing M against the resistance of the outer spring of the buffing mechanism to a position wherein the outer ends of the fingers 50 clear the inner sides of the flanges 41 by a suflicient margin to permit edgewise passage of the lugs 48' of the ring between the ends of said fingers and the inner sides of the flanges. While the thimble is held in this position, the buffing cap with the ring 0 thereon is pushed into the casing, the lugs 48 of the ring being aligned with the openings 49 between the flanges 41 of the casing so as to pass therethrough. In pushing the buffing cap into the casing, the force is applied to the ring 0 and the latter, due to its shouldered engagement with the cap, carries the same inwardly therewith. After the ring has been brought tora position with the lugs.48 thereof disposed inwardly of the flanges 41. of the casing, the ring is given a partial turn to register the lugs 4.8 with the flanges 41. The holding force is then withdrawn from the thimble, permitting the same to be projected by the outer spring of the bufiing mechanism, thereby bringing the fingers 5D in looking position between the flanges 41 of the casing and the lugs 48 of the ring.

1. ,In a shock absorber of the character dets tse.disseminates1w tha c sing; m a

cap slidingly telescoped within the casing; a spring within the casing yieldingly Opposing inward movement of the cap; means for anchoring the cap to the casing including an annular locking element having shouldered engagement with the cap for limiting outward movement of the latter, said element and casing having intel-engaging, laterally spaced stop projections which normally register to hold said cap against outward movement with respect to the casing, the stop projections of said element being of a size to pass between the projections of the casing when said element and casing are turned with respect to each other to register the stop projections of said element with the spaces between the stop projections of the casing; means for preventing the rotation of said annular lock ing element; and a second spring withinthe casing yieldingly holding said element with the projections thereof seated against the projections of the casing.

2. In a shock absorber of the character described, the combination with a friction casing having interior, circumferentially spaced flanges at one end; of a friction clutch slidingly telescoped within the other end of the casing; a buffing cap slidingly telescoped within said firstnamed end of the casing, said cap having a folilower member at the outer end thereof engageable with said first-named end of the casing to limit inward movement of said cap and effect movement of the casing lengthwise with respect to the friction clutch; a spring interposed and reacting between the cap and friction clutch to oppose relative approach thereof; an annular locking element having radially projecting spaced lugs in shouldered engagement with the flanges of the casing to hold said element against outward movement, said lugs being of a size to pass freely through the spaces between the flanges of the casing when the element is turned to register said lugs with said spaces to permit application of said element to the casing, said lugs, by turning said element, being brought to registering position with respect to the flanges of the casing to engage in back of the latter, said cap having shouldered engagement with said locking element to limit outward movement of the cap; means for preventing the rotation of said annular looking element; and a second spring reacting between the clutch and the locking element to forcibly hold said locking element in its outermost position with the lugs thereof pressed against the flanges of the casing.

3. In a shock absorber of the character described, the combination with a casing; of a cap slidingly telescoped within the casing; a spring withinthe casing yieldingly opposing inward movement of the cap; an annular locking element having shouldered engagement with the cap to limit outward movement of the latter, said casing and element having laterally spaced, registering locking projections, said registering projections having interengaging locking ribs and seats to hold said element and casing against relative rotation, the stop projections of said element passing freely between the projections of said casing when said element and casing are turned to stagger the projections of one with respect to those of theother; and a second spring yieldingly holding said element projected with the locking projections in engagement with the locking projections of the casing and the ribs engaged within said seats.

scribed, the combination with --a casing having interior, circumferentially spaced stop ledges atone end thereof; of a cap slidingly telescoped.

outwardly projecting stop lugs engageable in back of the ledges of the casing, said lugs being of a size to pass freely between adjacent stop ledges when the cap is turned to register said lugs with the spaces between said ledges; means for preventing the rotation of said annular locking element; and a second spring within said casing bearing onsaid element and pressingthe same outwardly with the lugs thereof in abutment with said ledges. I

5. In a shock absorber of thecharacter described, the combination with a casing having interior, circumferentially spaced stop ledges at one end thereof; of a cap slidingly telescoped within the casing; a spring within the casingcasing bearing on said element and pressing the same outwardly with the locking lugs en gaged in said seats to hold said elementagainst rotation with respect to the casing.

6. In a shock absorber of the character described, the combination with a casing having an annular inturned flange at one end notched at intervals to provide circumferentially spaced supporting ledges, said ledges having inwardly opening locking seats; of a cap sliringly telescoped within said'casing, said cap having radial- 1y projecting lugs thereon; a spring within the casing yieldingly opposing inward movement of the cap; an annular locking element having circumferentially spaced internal lugs in back of which the lugs of the cap are engaged, said element having radially projecting exterior lugs engaged in back of the ledges of the casing and seated in said seats, said exterior lugs of said element being of a size to pass freely through said notches of the flange of the casing when the cap is turned to register the lugs with said notches; and a second spring insaid casing pressing against said element to hold the external lugs of the latter seated in said seats.

7. In a shock absorber of the character described, the combination with a casing having inturned stop ledges at one end, said ledges being circumferentially spaced to provide notches therebetween, each of said ledges having an inwardly facing locking seat; of a cap slidingly telescoped within the casing; a spring within the casing normally holding said cap projected and yieldingly opposing inward movement of the same; an annular locking element having radially projecting exterior lugs engaged in the seats of said ledges to hold said element against outward movement and lock the same against rotation, said exterior lugs being of a size to pass freely through said notches when said element is turned to alignthe lugs with the notches; interengaging guide means on said element and cap for restricting the latter to movement lengthwise" with respect to said element; stops on said element at the outer end of the guide means thereof 8. In a shock absorber of the characterdescribed, the combination with a casing having inturned stop ledges at one end thereof, said ledges bein circumferentially spaced to provide openings therebetween, each of said ledges having an inwardly facing locking seat; of a cap slidingly telescoped. within the casing; a locking sleeve within the easing into which-said cap extends, said sleeve. having exterior, radially-extending stop lugs thereon seated in said seats to lock-the sleeve against rotation with respect'to the easing and hold the same against outward movement with respect to the casing and in position offset inwardly from said end of the casing, said lugs beingof a size to pass freely through said notches when said elementis turned to align the lugs with the notches; external stop lugs on said cap cooperating with-circumferentially spaced stop shoulders on said sleeve for restricting outward movement of the capwith respect to the sleeve, said lugs of the cap being of a sizeto pass freely between the shoulders of the sleeve when said cap is turned with respect to the sleeve to align the stop lugs of the former with the spaces between the stop shoulders; cooperating guide means on said lugs of the cap and on said sleeve for holding'the cap against rotation with respect to the sleeve with the'lu'gs of the former aligned with the shoulders of the ,latten'said guide means being of interengagi-ng tongue and groove forma tion, the-guide'meansof said sleeve terminating short of the'inner end thereof 'toprovide clearance for disengagement of the lugs of the cap therefrom in lateral direction when said .cap is forced into the sleeve to a predetermined extent; stop means on said cap engageable with the end of the-casing for limiting movement of the cap inwardly of the sleeve'and maintain the lugsof the cap engaged with the guide means of the sleeve; and inner and outer springs within the casing, the inner spring extending through said sleeve and opposing inward movement of the cap, and the outer spring bearing on said sleeve and maintainin the exterior lugs thereof seated in the seats of the ledges.

9. In a shock absorber of the character described, the combination with a casing having circumferentially spaced stop ledges at one end thereof; of inwardlv facing locking seats on said ledges; a locking thimble having exterior, radiallv proiect ng lugs buttressed against said ledges and seated in the seats thereof, said lugs holding the thimble off et inwardly from said end of the casing; a spring within the casing yieldingly holding said thimble pressed outwardly against said ledges; lengthwise extending, interior guide ribs on the thimble having stop shoulders at the outer ends thereof and terminating short of the inner end of the thimble; a cap slidable within said thimble, said cap having stop projections thereon, each stop projection comprising a pair of laterally spaced lugs embracing the corresponding rib of the thimble to guide said cap and hold the same against rotation; stop means on the cap engageable with the casing for limiting movement of the cap inwardly of the casing,

zjaaszoes wardly from thestop means a distance" greater than the distance from the oliteriend' of said" thirnble to the inner" ends of the ribs thereof whereby said stop' projections clear the inner ends of said ribs wh'en'th'e capis forced inwardly of'the thimble to-its full extent, thereby permitting disengagement of said cap by turning the same with respect to the thirnble, said step projectioris of the capbeing of'a size to pass freely through thespaces between the stop shoulders olf the thirnble and an inner spring within said first-named spring extehdingthrough the'thimble andyieldingly. Opposing inward movement of the Gap? lfOl-In' a shock absorberiofi the: character described} the combination with a casing; of a" spacing sleeve within the c'as'ingat one end there'- of} saidspacingi' sleeve and" casin'g' having a bayonet connection forlocking' said. sleeve to the casing; a cap sliding'ly telescoped within said sleeve, said cap and sleeve having a sliding. bayonet connection with each other; a spring within the casing. bearing on the sleeveand yieldingly opposing unlocking of the bayonet connection thereof with the casing; a second spring yieldingly opposing inward movement of said cap; and a stopon' said cap engageab le with said end of the c'a's'in'g lirhiting' inward movement of the cap with respect to the sleeve to an extent to maintain the slidin'g bayonet connection thereof engagedsaid-cap being movable inwardly of the sleeve before being arrested by the stop thereof to permit unlocking of" the" bayonet connection and disengagement of the cap from the sleeve when-said sleeve is detached from thecasing;

1 1. Ina; shock' absorber of the character described. the combination: with a casing having circumferentially spaced, interior supporting ledges at one end provided with inwardly facing seats; of-a locking ring having radially projecting lugs seated on said ledges, said lugs being of a size to pass freely through the spaces and overhang said ledges when the ring is turned to register the lugs with the ledges, said ring and ledges having interlocking seats and projections to lock said? ringfa'g-ainst rotation; aspacing;- a cap extending: through said Iring-j'andtelescopedwithin. thecasthimble' abutting said* ring,

ing for sliding movement; an outer "spring within the casing yieldingly holding said thimble:

seated on thering-to' maintain said ring seated on the ledges with the seats and projections in-- terlocked; and a second spring extendingthrough said thimbleand yieldingly opposing inward movement of the cap. 12'. In a shock absorber'ofthe character'described, the combination with a casing having cir cumferentiallyspaced, interior supporting ledges at one'end; of'a cap sliding-1y telescoped within the casing; a locking ring surrounding-said cap an'd'fhaving'shouldered engagement therewith to limit outward movement thereof; radially ex-- tending locking lugs onsaid ring seated on theinner'sides of said ledges, said lugsbeing of'a size'to pass fieely'through the spaces between said ledges when aligned therewith and overhang said ledges when the ring is turned. to register the lugs With the ledges; a spacing thimble bearing on said ring and having outwardly projecting fingers engaged between adjacent lugs-of the ring and between adjacent ledges of' the casing to lock said ring against rotation with respect to the casing; and inner' and outer springs within the'casing, saidouter spring bearing on the thimble and holding the fingers engaged between said ledges of the casing and lugs of the ring, and said inner spring yieldingly opposing inward movement of the cap.

KEITH WILLIAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following, references are of record in. the file oi this. patent:

UNITED STATES. PATENTS Number Name Date 2,076,769 Dentler Apr. 13, 1937 2,338,453. Nelson Jan. 4, 1944 2,4117,154 Dath Mar. 11, 1947 2,423,876 Dath July 15, 1947 2,423,877 Dath July 15, 1947 

